"Here, lords, here!" cried Nicodemus in alarm. "What may the lords be pleased to want?"
"Food and drink and a place to sleep if you have it," said one on horseback. His voice was full and resonant and very deep; the tones of one used to command men. Another added querulously:
"This place is crowded to the doors. Every public-house—Say quick if you can take us in, for a cloud of vermin is swarming at our heels, ready to snap the food from our very jaws."
Nicodemus's eye, long used to sizing up the purses of would-be customers, lighted to quick and eager greed.
"All I have is at your lordships' service. You say truly; Thorney is crowded, so that many will sleep on the naked ground to-night."
There came a group of weary carters along the street, smelling loudly of drink and of the stables, clamoring at every crowded house for bed and board. Nicodemus saw the disgusted scorn with which the lord who had last spoken regarded these; saw the other two on horseback turn away as though contaminated by the very atmosphere of their presence,—an atmosphere none too sweet, in truth,—and promptly took his cue.
"Nay, friend," said he to the foremost carter, as they clustered close around, hopeful at last of shelter. "You're too late—I'm full. Best go to the Black Cock—a step further down the street. There you'll find all you ask for."
"The Black Cock be full also," the man protested sulkily. "You have room to spare! See then, friend, we'll pay 'ee well."
But Nicodemus, fearful lest his golden geese should fly, turned on him fiercely.
"Get ye gone! I've no time to dicker over coppers. I'm full, I tell you, and that's all there is to it.—This way, lords."